Loughborough set to play host to series of England matches

ENGLAND will play a Superleague All Stars team in three behind-closed-doors matches in Loughborough this week.

The Vitality Netball Legends Series will run from January 20-24 and replaces England’s fixtures against Jamaica, which were postponed over coronavirus concerns.

The series will see the most exciting English talent go head to head with a host of international and homegrown players from the Vitality Netball Superleague.

England head coach Jess Thirlby said: “This will provide vital exposure for both netball and women’s sport,.

She said it would also give England “valuable on-court time as we look towards the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games”.

“We have a real wealth of talent in the Vitality Roses squad and the Vitality Netball Superleague clubs and I am sure netball fans will be excited to see live elite netball and their favourite players for club and country return to the court.”

England’s squad remains unchanged to the one that was selected to face Jamaica, with Loughborough Lightning’s defensive powerhouse Vicki Oyesola among those included.

The teams will still be playing play for the Jean Hornsby Cup, named in celebration of the first Black England netball player and all her achievements on the court.

The All Stars squad will be coached by Manchester Thunder’s Karen Greig, with Wasps Netball’s Mel Mansfield and Roses Academy head coach Sheonah Forbes acting as assistant coaches for the series.

The squad will be named next week with Malawi and Manchester Thunder player Joyce Mvula, New Zealand and Severn Stars’ Liana Leota, and Uganda and Loughborough Lightning shooter Mary Cholhok among those expected to feature.

The matches will be played behind closed doors in Loughborough with strict Covid-19 testing and protocols in place in accordance with government guidance relating to elite sport.

Both teams will be tested regularly and form elite sport isolation bubbles in the lead up to the series.

Fran Connolly, CEO of England Netball, said: “With all players from both sides already being in the UK before the government restrictions to travel were introduced, it seemed like a great opportunity to create this unique fixture and get our elite players back on court.

“These games are happening because of a tremendous team effort behind the scenes, and thanks to a strong partnership with the Vitality Netball Superleague clubs who have helped us to bring these special fixtures to life. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone, including our fantastic partners, for making this event happen.” • All the matches will be shown live on Sky Sports and streamed on Sky Sports’ YouTube channel.